I READ with a great deal of interest the article headed "Grim Picture of Radcliffe", never thinking for one moment that anyone would have the guts to state the obvious truth that Radcliffe people have been saying for ages.

Then I came to the so-called "good news" but, to be honest, couldn't really see anything that would improve the picture of Radcliffe as a whole. Trade, for example.

It was the final paragraph that put the tin hat on it and it was this which disgusted me.

It read: "A potential barrier to economic regeneration in Radcliffe is the limited prospect for funding." This is hardly surprising to Radcliffe and other surrounding areas when Bury can splash out on large retail parks, revamp the so-called world famous market and put a roof on the town centre shopping area.

Ask any Radcliffe old timer, as I am, when the decline of our town started and you will always get the same answer: "It was when Bury took us over."

I wonder if Elms Square had been in the centre of Bury, if that awful mess would have been left for so long. My thoughts are, that funds would have been found long ago.